 | The Knight of Malta |  |
Scæna prima.
Enter Norandine, and Servant, Corporall and Souldiers above.Ser.
The daye's not yet broak Sir.
Nor.
'Tis the cooler riding,
I must goe see Miranda: bring my horse
Round to the South Port: i'le out here at the beach
And meet ye at the end oth' Sycamores,
'Tis a sweet walke, and if the wind be stirring
Serves like a fan to coole.
Corporall and Watch above singing.
Ser.
Which walke?
Nor.
Why that sir,
Where the fine City dames meet to make matches.
Ser.
I know it.
Nor.
Speed ye then: what mirth is this?
The watches are not yet discharged, I take it:
These are brave carelesse Rogues; i'le hear the Song out
And then i'le fit ye for't, merry Companions:
Here's notable order, now for a trick to tame ye—
Owgh, owgh.
1. Wat.
Hark, hark, what's that below us? who goes there?
Nor.
Owgh, owgh, owgh.
2. W.
'Tis a Beare broke loose: pray call the Corporall.
1 W.
The Dutchmans huge fat sow.
2.
I see her now, and five fine piggs.
Nor.
Owgh, owgh.
Corp.
Now, what's the matter?
1 W.
Here's the great fat Sow, Corporall.
The Dutch-mans Sow, and all the Piggs, brave fat piggs,
You have been wishing long she would breake loose.
Nor.
Owgh, owgh.
Cor.
'Tis she indeed, there's a white pigg now sucking,
Looke, looke, doe you see it sirs.
1 Wat.
Yes, very well sir.
Cor.
A notable fat whorson; come two of ye.
Goe downe with me, we'll have a tickling breakfast.
2 W.
Let's eat 'em at the Crosse.
Cor.
There's the best liquor.
Nor.
I'le liquor some of ye, ye lazy rogues,
Your mindes are of nothing but eating and swilling:
What a sweet beast they have made of me? a Sow?
Hogge upon hogge? I heare 'em come.
Enter Cor. below and watch.
Cor.
Go softly, and fall upon 'em finely, nimbly.
1 W.
Blesse me.
Cor.
Why, what's the matter?
1 W.
Oh the devill!
The devill, as high as a Steeple.
2 W.
There he goes Corporall,
His feet are cloven too.
Cor.
Stand, stand I say: death' how I shake?
Where be your Muskets?
1 W.
There's no good of them:
Where be our Prayers, man?
2 W.
Lord, how he stalks: speak to him Corporall.
Cor.
Why, what a devill art thou.
Nor.
Owgh owgh.
Cor.
A dumb devill.
The worst devill that could come, a dumb devil,
Give me a Musket; he gathers into me,
I'th name of—speak what art thou?—speake devill,
Or Ile put a plumb in your belly.
Nor.
Owgh, owgh, owgh.
Corp.
Fie, fie, in what a sweat I am! Lord blesse me,
My Muskets gone too, I am not able to stirre it.
Nor.
Who goes there? stand speake.
Corp.
Sure I am inchaunted.
Yet here's my harbert still: nay, who goes there sir,
What have I lost my selfe? what are ye?
Nor.
The Guard.
Corp.
Why what are we then: he's not half so long now.
Nor he has no taile at all, I shake still damnably.
Nor.
The word.
Corp.
'Have mercy on me, what word do's he meane,
Prethee devill if thou be'st the devill,
Doe not make an Asse of me; for I remember yet
As well as I am here, I am the Corporall,
Ile lay my life on't devill.
Nor.
Thou art damn'd:
Corp.
That's all one: but am not I the Corporall?
I would give a thousand pound to be resolv'd now,
Had not I Souldiers here?
Nor.
No, not a man,
Thou art debosh'd, and cozen'd.
Corp.
That may be,
It may be I am drunk; Lord, where have I been?
Is not this my Halbert in my hand?
Nor.
No, 'tis a May-pole.
Cor.
Why then I know not who I am, nor what,
Nor whence I come.
Nor.
Ye are an arrand rascall;
You Corporall of a watch.
Cor.
'Tis the Dane's voyce: you are no devill then.
Nor.
No, nor no Sow, sir.
Cor.
Of that I am right glad sir,
I was ne're so frighted in my life, as I am a Souldier.
Nor.
Tall watchmen,
A guard for a Goose, you sing away your Centuries.
A carefull company: let me out oth' port here,
I was a little merry with your worships:
And keepe your guards strong, though the devill walk.
Hold, there's to bring ye into your wits againe.
Goe off no more to hunt Piggs: such another trick
And you will hunt the gallowes.
Cor.
Pray Sir pardon us:
And let the devill come next, i'le make him stand
Or make him stinck.
Nor.
Doe doe your duty truly.
Come let me out, and come away: no more rage.
Ext.
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